TRUE HAPPINESS AND JOY

PSALM 97

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart

(Ps. 97:11).

“The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad!” (v. 1). “Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord” (v. 8). “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (v. 11). These verses from Psalm 97 reveal how God’s rule over the earth is inseparably linked with the true happiness of mankind. If God’s providential government and majestic reign continues from generation to generation, why then is mankind not glad? Fallen men and women have turned their backs on God. They refuse to acknowledge His reign over all creation. They oppose Him at every turn and choose instead to worship false images rather than the one true God. As long as people rebel against the King of kings, they will not be satisfied, nor will they know true happiness or lasting peace. Only when they submit to His rule, to His sovereign authority over their lives, will they taste the joy that comes from living in His holy presence.

The joy in Psalm 97 describes the coming of the kingdom of Christ. In the Old Testament God established His kingdom among a particular people—Israel. In the midst of these undeserving and at times stiff-necked people, God placed His testimony—the ark of the covenant. He dwelt among His people and blessed them with joy and peace in their hearts. The ultimate state of being for the Jewish person was to live before the very face of God. With the coming of the Gospel, that privilege spread to all nations. No longer did God confine His presence to the people of Israel, but He expanded His kingdom to embrace people from all races and nations. The Gospel brings with it a happiness, a joy, a gladness of heart that can only come when one submits to the majestic and awesome reign of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God blesses His people with happiness and righteousness. Until we are made righteous in Christ, we cannot know the joy of the Lord. But God has promised to shed light upon the righteous and to instill joy in the upright in heart. Our response to such abundant blessings is to “Rejoice in the Lord … and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” (Ps. 97:12).

CORAM DEO

Psalms 70–72

Romans 4

How is the world deceived into a false or cheap sense of happiness? How do believers fall into this same trap? Think about those times you are most happy. Is it when you are obedient and in deeper fellowship with the Lord? If you do not have joy in your heart about the Lord, examine why.

For further study: Prov. 3:13–18 • Jer. 15:16 • John 15:1–17; 16:24 • 1 Peter 1:8–9

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